The first football games of the year are just over a week away, and we’re excited to kickoff a new season!

Over the next several weeks, Bound Wisconsin will be producing Preseason Football Team Rankings, featuring a Top 15 for each division as well as Others to Watch.

Previously Released Rankings:

8-Player

1. Cochrane-Fountain City - The Pirates put together one of the best seasons in school history, going undefeated during the regular season with seven shutouts, advancing to the Division 7 state championship game. They’d come up short against Kenosha St. Joseph, who moves up to D6 this year, but took home the school’s first hardware with a runner-up trophy. “We have only four returning starters on both sides of the ball, but we do have some key positions returning,” said head coach Jesse Cyrus, who also coached the boys basketball team to a 2025 state title. Cochrane-Fountain City welcomes back two of the top playmakers in the division, senior quarterback Parker Kujak and senior running back Aidan Lisowski, who led the team in rushing a year ago.

2. Coleman - The Cougars dropped a couple regular season games but made a nice playoff run, advancing to a sectional final before falling to eventual state champion Kenosha St. Joseph. Veteran head coach Jeff Bronson returns eight starters on offense and seven on defense for 2026. That includes a strong running back duo of Kolton Peters and Wyatt Bieber, who combined for more than 2200 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns a year ago. “We were relatively young last year and we have many underclassmen that going into their junior year have a full year of varsity experience,” said Bronson. He likes the depth and numbers in the program, but there isn’t a lot of size.

3. Black Hawk/Warren (IL) - The Warriors went unbeaten during the regular season, including a 15-14 win over rival Potosi/Cassville in the final game to capture an outright Six Rivers Conference title. After narrowly getting past River Ridge a second time to open the playoffs, the team would be upset at home against Cashton in Level 2. Black Hawk/Warren (IL) figures to battle it out with Potosi/Cassville once again for the top spot in the Six Rivers, with a solid group returning. Taht includes talented senior quarterback Beau Podnar, as well as promising junior running back Dax Paquin, amongst others. First Team All-Conference offensive linemen Cole Dunlavey and Aiden Mosley also return for head coach Desie Breardon.

4. Lourdes Academy - The Knights came within a breathe of its first WIAA state finals appearance, but a 17-14 overtime loss to Cochrane-Fountain City in the state semi-finals sent the team home with a 12-1 overall record in 2025. The opportunities should be there to push for that elusive first trip to Madison, as head coach Kevin Wopat brings back 24 letterwinners, with five starters returning on offense and six on defense. Leading the way is senior Brady Bauer, an elite linebacker who doubles as the team’s quarterback, where he was the Trailways Conference Offensive Player of the Year. Top receiver lucas Neuens is also returning, but there are some holes to fill up front in the trenches for the Knights.

5. Hilbert - The Wolves were third in the Big East Conference, finishing behind larger division schools Cedar Grove-Belgium and Manitowoc Lutheran. They did win a couple home playoff games before falling in a close one against Lourdes Academy, as they’ll try to continue that momentum into a new year. Senior running back Jack Pakala can create his own momentum, coming off a 1300-yard performance last year, as he’s one of the top athletes in the division. Kendrix Grenzer got plenty of reps last year at quarterback as just a freshman and will have another year of experience under his belt. Ezra Sevala is another key playmaker returning on offense.

6. Pepin/Alma - Pepin/Alma had another excellent season, with the only regular season loss a 15-14 decision to Cochrane-Fountain City. The team won a playoff game for a seventh consecutive season, but went out in Level 2 against Boyceville. Head coach Mike Olson, who is just four wins away from 200 for his career, brings back 19 letterwinners this season, though just seven total starters (four offense, three defense). The Eagles always find a way, and will need to do so again this season while replacing 1900-yard rusher Justin Bergmann amongst others. Max Carothers will be one of the best linemen in the league after earning First Team All-Conference recognition a year ago.

7. Boyceville - It was a dominant regular season for the Bulldogs, who allowed just 21 points in eight contests. After wins over Webster and Pepin/Alma, they’d fall to Cochrane-Fountain City in a sectional final. It was a strong senior group that led the way, meaning some changes coming for 2026. “It is impossible to replace a group of seniors who had a four-year varsity record of 41-7 with two conference championships and a sectional championship under their belt,” said head coach Michael Roemhild. “We have a group of guys who know how to win. They have followed in the footsteps of some great leaders and now it is their time.” Replacing All-State quarterback Carson Romehild plus All-State defensive lineman Zach Hellndrung will be especially difficult, but there are eight starters back to try to keep things going. Eli Weber is expected to take over at quarterback.

8. Bangor - Bangor found its way back to the top of the Scenic Bluffs Conference last fall, as the only regular season blemish was an opening 21-20 defeat against Melrose-Mindoro. The Cardinals would defeat Marshall in the opening playoff game before falling to Mondovi. After a year elevated to Division 6, the Cardinals are back in familiar territory in Division 7 this season. “Offensively, we have three returning linemen, but we will need to replace our quarterback and two running backs from last season,” said head coach Todd Grant. “We should have a strong group of linebackers defensively.” The Cardinals bring back four starters on offense in total, with five returning on defense.

9. Cashton - It was a second place finish in the Scenic Bluffs a year ago for Cashton, a spot they shared with Brookwood. The team did a pair of road playoff games, including over previously undefeated Black Hawk/Warren, before going out against Potosi/Cassville in a sectional final. They figure to battle it out with Bangor and Brookwood for control of the league in 2026, led by the return of 1000-yard rusher Jack Christensen.

10. Glenwood City - It was a nice season for the Hilltoppers, who had several very competitive losses during the regular season but still qualified for the playoffs, where they’d defeat Spring Valley for a second time before falling to Cochrane-Fountain City. Head coach Shane Strong likes the look of the defense for 2026, where ten starters are returning, with four of them entering their third season as regulars. Five starters are back offensively, but there is once again some concern in the trenches. “We will be small up front on both sides of the ball,” said Strong. “Last year we averaged 145 pounds on our offensive and defensive lines, and we will be very similar again this year, though we do have good speed.”

11. Spring Valley - The Cardinals finished 5-5 last year, including a Level 1 playoff exit, but there’s reason to believe they’ll be back to pushing towards the top of the Dunn-St. Croix in 2026. Head coach Ryan Kapping has 14 returning letterwinners, highlighted by the return of eight offensive starters. That includes the league’s leading rusher Asher Turner, quarterback Mason Winger, and several other key pieces. The defense has five starters back this season.

12. McDonell Central - The Macks make the move from 8-player back to 11-player this year, and they’re coming off an 8-player state championship. After falling to Gilman in the regular season, they advanced to the championship game for a rematch with the Pirates, claiming a 22-0 shutout. They’ll need to replace 8-player Player of the Year Dawson Moulton along with quarterback Cael Holm, but 1000-yard receiver Luke Andersen is among the group returning. There are solid numbers in the program that will help the transition, which will also see a new coach take over. Mark Maloney retired after leading the team to the titled, and former G-E-T coach Luke Oliver moves over to take over the Macks program.

13. Abbotsford - The Falcons were third in the Marawood Conference last season, then went out in Level 1 of the playoffs. After winning five straight early in the year, they did not win on the field after September. “We return a lot of players that were low on football IQ and experience last year,” said head coach Jake Knapmiller. “The goal is to see that progresion from our off-season training take place.” Quarterback Carter Cihlar plus running backs Jesus Reyes and Jaxon Ploeckleman are among the key returning skill players.

14. Webster - The Tigers finished just 3-7 overall, tied for fifth in the Lakeland Conference, and dropped four straight to close the year with a Level 1 playoff exit. So why the ranking in the preseason? There are 21 letterwinners back and 10 returning starters on both sides of the ball for head coach Scott Haskins. There are ten players who will be four-year varsity starters. “This veteran presence is complemented by the team’s deep dedication to one another and their collective goals. The squad is focused on a deep postseason run this year.” Ronald Hatch is one of the best playmakers in the Lakeland Conference, rushing for more than 1400 yards last year with another 247 as a receiver.

15. Brookwood - The Falcons finished in a tie for second in the Scenic Bluffs Conference, but after beating Cashton during the regular season, they’d fall to the Eagles in the first postseason game. “We have a strong and experienced senior class,” said head coach Jeremy Mack. “We’ll have good team speed and a strong passing game. We must replace our top three rushers from last season, though.”